How do you know if you've got an issue with booze

@rottentomato2 Alcohol will be performing some kind of function or role in your life and you need to understand what that is and why e.g. it is a time when you get to prioritise yourself (you have too many demands on your time/find it hard to set boundaries), or; it numbs your feelings (you get overwhelmed with thoughts or feelings and need to switch them off) etc... My view is you need to understand these root reasons and tackle them .

I have a problem with social media and my phone. I know I use it to numb (there are lots of reasons I need to numb). Sometimes I still use my phone a lot to numb but I can also do other things that are healthier because I am aware of why I'm doing it. Go for a run, seek connection, do something for someone else etc (Mind charity is great for tips on wellbeing).

There are lots of books and podcasts specifically to support giving up or managing alcohol consumption these days or talking therapy if you can afford it.

Best of luck

I think it sounds fine and pretty normal to me. I have designated drinking days (Fri and Sat) and yes I do look forward to them. I eat very healthily in the week but let my guard down a bit at weekends - I look forward to that too!!

I think as soon as you are regularly thinking about the next day you "can have" an alcoholic drink and that days without alcohol are missing something.

My parents were/are (one dead) alcoholics and I had a bit of an alcohol problem myself from probably my mid-20s to early 30s. Alcohol was a regular feature in my thoughts; I used to look forward to events where alcohol was involved, not for the events themselves necessarily, but because of the opportunity to drink. I used to plan what I was going to eat when drinking, I used to look forward to the next night I 'allowed' myself to drink and felt that my alcohol-free nights were very flat in comparison.

For the past 10 years, I average maybe 1-2 occasions throughout the year when I have 1-3 drinks. Alcohol now just does not feature in my thoughts at all. It is so freeing.

I think as soon as anyone has to ask themselves that question, it's a good indication that somethings not right.... or although it may be ok now, it probably won't be in a few years if they don't do anything about it

I recently stopped drinking at home apart from special occasions, because I realised I was craving alcohol as soon as the kids were in bed and struggling to have a night off. I didn’t often exceed the recommended units per week, but I knew it was becoming as issue because of how I felt about it and how I approached it, and I think that’s a slippery slope. My dad died of alcohol-related disease and I began drinking significantly more after that.

It’s not an issue until it becomes an issue- either when you become dependent or when in later years you face health problems due to regular alcohol consumption ( family friends in their 60’s both told by HCP to stop/seriously reduce drinking).

A few people I know have increased their alcohol intake during lockdown- sadly one of them died due to organ failure.

Maybe ask yourself how you would feel if you couldn’t have it any more. Your answer should give you an idea of whether your relationship with alcohol is unhealthy or not.

Oh amd I don't drink to relax or because I like the buzz, I do it because I like the drink itself. I'd probably prefer alcohol free tbh but there's no equivalent for what I like to drink. I don't order wine with a meal for example.

I think when you ask the question and plan your life around it e.g. designated drinking days to look forward to, eating cheaper food to pay for booze, poor sleep or feeling groggy, not making Saturday plans because Friday is for drinking at home every week etc.

It depends on age and stage of life as well. As an early 20 something I would regularly drink the equivalent of a 1 litre bottle of vodka a fortnight, probably more, as i was drinking every weekend night (but rarely in the week). When my life changed so did my drinking habits. It wasn't painful, just natural.

I don't have a drinking routine. Sometimes I'll drink 2 or 3 times a week/1 or 2 drinks a night, other times I'll go months without it. I go on what I fancy.

Most people on Mumsnet drink too much.

If you're asking yourself if you've got a problem, chances are you've got a problem.

I think as soon as you're asking that question, it's an "issue". Doesn't mean you're an alcoholic but it does - IMO - mean you don't have a neutral relationship with alcohol (or biscuits!)

I’m not sure but I don’t think you’ll get a representative answer here. Every other person seems to either not drink or drink 2-3 times a year. Recently I drink (at home too which always feels worse) 2-3 times a week so don’t know where that sits. Feels a lot less than friends that still go ‘out’ but also feels quite frequent just in front of the telly?